Measuring Quality: Choosing among Surveys and Other Assessments of College Quality.

Borden, Victor M. H.

The purpose of this guide is to articulate a set of questions and issues that campus leaders can review when deciding whether to participate in a given survey or use a specific assessment instrument. The guide also describes some of the major national surveys and assessments. Although the guide does not rate or recommend these services, it suggests the criteria that campus leaders should use to determine the use and usefulness of any such instrument or service based on specific campus needs, capabilities, and goals. The guide is divided into three major sections. The first poses some general questions that are important to consider before deciding whether to participate, or continue to participate, in a national assessment. The second section provides common descriptive information for some of the national assessments that were popular when the guide was written. The third section reviews some specific questions and issues regarding the choice of a specific instrument or service and how to optimize participation. The report concludes with three tables that compare the major instruments and services reviewed in the guide. (SLD)